Bulgaria Airports Improve Security, Operations With IP Video System

  • Aug 13, 2010

Milestone Systems open platform IP video management software is being used by Fraport AG to improve both security and operational excellence at Varna and Burgas Airports in Bulgaria.

RAD Group has installed Milestone XProtect Enterprise software, operating several hundred Axis network cameras in both airports, with IBM servers and Cisco network infrastructure.

At the end of 2006 the German-Bulgarian consortium of the airport operator Fraport AG and the Bulgarian logistics company BM Star won a bid for the operation of both Varna and Burgas Airports -- gateways to the popular Bulgarian Black Sea tourist region that includes Sunny Beach.

Called the ‘Summer Capital’ of Bulgaria, Varna and Burgas Airports are at the heart of the area, which includes developed business communities, close to both resorts and transport facilities. Over a 35-year concession period, Fraport Twin Star Airport Management will be operating and investing in the development of both coastal airports.

Prior to 2008, Varna and Burgas Airports had individual systems for different tasks, and analog surveillance cameras. The analog technology had limitations in quality like the inability to monitor remotely between the two airports, to expand the systems, or to integrate with other security solutions. Management could see that IP technology was the way of the future and they did not want to be single-vendor dependent, in order to get best price performance.

RAD Group, a Milestone Certified Partner in the Solytron distributor channel, has installed Milestone XProtect Enterprise software, operating several hundred Axis network cameras in both airports, with IBM servers and Cisco network infrastructure. Retention of the recorded video is set to the required 30-day regulation.

Control rooms at each site with 12 37-inch display screens each show the Milestone Smart Client views of both live and recorded video, which provide overview of the customs area, baggage claim belts, arrival and departure areas, shops and gates.

Varna and Burgas Airports are using the Milestone surveillance not just for security but also for operational excellence. Officials monitor aircraft taking off and landing on the runways and on the apron to ensure proper servicing of the planes including baggage and food supply movements, vehicle traffic and operations around the tanks for refueling.

The Milestone surveillance system can be viewed and managed centrally by Fraport personnel for both of the airports or locally at each airport, depending on the user access given.

“With the implementation of Milestone XProtect Enterprise at both airports, Fraport gains the following improvements: unified video surveillance systems at both airports and centralization of the software, hardware and communications; surveillance and control of technological processes in airport servicing -- runway, apron, fuel farm, security checks, passenger and baggage flow,” said Hristo Botev, head of IT for Fraport Twin Star Airport Management. “The RAD Group manages the installation perfectly with the highest efficiency.”

In 2008 the airports set up the Milestone IP video platform, learning the system thoroughly and fine-tuning it.

Fraport Twin Star has plans to build new terminals at both airports. With the Milestone IP video open platform, it will be no problem to expand the system for this coverage, including management of activities during the construction phase. Since the airport staff includes some people with programming skills, they are furthermore interested in using the Milestone SDK to make integrations with back-end applications like logistics, to work in concert with the Milestone open platform video surveillance.

Milestone’s archiving technology provides cost efficiencies for the airports, especially considering the30-day archive retention rule. XProtect allows officials to archive recorded video on the IBM storage hardware that provides large cost-efficient hard disks, and simultaneously operates with the live video running on faster performance disks.

In addition, initial installations of some H.264 IP cameras have already proven cost savings of 30 percent, so officials look forward to incorporating more of these high-compression video cameras in future.

The airports want to add other innovations in the future through video analytics. These could be applied when they make entrance and exit lanes for passenger movements in the terminals, especially in the customs areas. Uni-directional flow will make it easier for analytics to alert when someone is going in the wrong direction. They also are looking into left baggage analytics and tripwire solutions to help prevent people from going to unauthorized areas. Tailgating alerts could detect improper access by people who try to enter on someone else’s card.

Featured

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

  • Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.